Inside Jennifer Garner’s Farm-Style L.A. Home | Open Door | Architectural Digest

Summary

In this heartwarming home tour, the homeowner takes us through her thoughtfully designed living space, which reflects her personal style and family life. From the expansive living room and cozy library to the charming vegetable garden and dedicated children's spaces, every corner of the house tells a story. The tour highlights a deep connection to family traditions and nature, as well as the joy of creating a warm, inviting home. The space is a perfect blend of comfort, functionality, and creativity, where memories are made and cherished.

Takeaways

• 😀 The living room was designed to be expansive, ideal for family moments like playing Rummikub and sitting around the fire.
• 😀 The house was built based on a detailed description, without a Pinterest board or magazine pictures, and the result turned out perfectly.
• 😀 Artwork in the living room is deeply meaningful, including paintings by Rainer Andreesen and Reed Bradley, with personal touches like a photograph of Victor Garber and the speaker.
• 😀 The kitchen is a central space, with a focus on wood, cleanliness, and functionality, including a dedicated baking area and plenty of storage for essentials like chocolate chips.
• 😀 The dining room features artwork by photographer Lara Porzak and was designed for both eating and work meetings, reflecting the speaker's lifestyle.
• 😀 The library is a cozy TV room, with a custom-built BDDW couch and a design that emphasizes comfort and ease, allowing for a relaxed environment with dogs and feet.
• 😀 A dedicated space for kids' study and projects exists, showing the importance of functionality for growing children in the home.
• 😀 The speaker shares a deep connection with nature, highlighted by the garden, fruit trees, and a sustainable gray water system used for irrigation.
• 😀 The vegetable house is an essential part of the speaker's love for organic gardening, growing herbs like thyme and vegetables such as kale and tomatoes.
• 😀 The bedroom is intentionally compact, with a large bathroom designed for family use and a calming, neutral aesthetic. The speaker enjoys having a tree in the bathroom.
• 😀 The kid's slumber party room features built-in bunks for sleepovers, a space where kids can feel at home, surrounded by toys and comfort, including a hidden office under the stairs.

Q & A

What inspired the design of the living room in the house?

The living room was designed to feel expansive, with a Rummikub table and space for people to gather around the fireplace, creating a perfect space for family moments.

How did the homeowner and architect, Steve Giannetti, approach the design of the house?

The homeowner described her vision for the house to Steve Giannetti, and he created a watercolor rendering based on that description. The final design closely mirrored her vision, with minimal changes during the build.

What significance do the paintings in the living room hold?

The paintings were created by Rainer Andreesen, Victor Garber's husband. One of the paintings includes a photograph of Victor and the homeowner, making it a deeply personal and sentimental piece.

What is unique about the kitchen in the house?

The kitchen has a wood design that makes it feel like a tree house. It includes a dedicated baking area, with organized storage for ingredients like flour and chocolate chips, reflecting the homeowner's love for baking.

Why is the fireplace grate in the kitchen special?

The fireplace grate in the kitchen was custom made by Wallace Metal Works. The cozy atmosphere it creates, with the fireplace running while cooking, adds to the warmth and charm of the space.

How does the dining room function in the homeowner's daily life?

The dining room is used regularly for family meals and also doubles as a meeting space. The homeowner works from home and often holds meetings in this room, with doors added for privacy and versatility.

What are some key features of the library or TV room in the house?

The library/TV room has a deep gray-blue color scheme, a comfortable BDDW couch, and is a space where the family gathers to relax. It also opens out to the garden, maintaining a connection with nature.

What is the significance of the homeowner's orchard and the use of gray water?

The orchard is a source of fresh fruit, with apricots, figs, peaches, and more. The gray water system, which recycles water from the washing machine and dishwasher, is used to irrigate the fruit trees, conserving water and supporting sustainable living.

What role does the vegetable house play in the homeowner's life?

The vegetable house is used to grow herbs like thyme, as well as vegetables such as kale and tomatoes. It reflects the homeowner's commitment to organic gardening and sustainable living.

What makes the children's bunk room special?

The children's bunk room is designed for sleepovers and features built-in bunks, which create a cozy, shared space for kids. The beds are designed like those on a ship, providing a playful yet functional environment.